Godolphin’s standout colt Sovereignty dominated the Eclipse Awards Thursday night, claiming Horse of the Year and unanimous champion 3-year-old male honors after a brilliant Triple Crown campaign, while Laurel Park’s Friday card draws sharp attention with promising contenders like Lonesome Road poised for breakthroughs in key allowance races.
Sovereignty Claims Eclipse Glory as Horse of the Year
In a resounding victory at the Eclipse Awards ceremonies, Godolphin’s Sovereignty emerged as Horse of the Year and the unanimous champion 3-year-old male, marking the second such sweep for the operation in three years following Cody’s Wish. The brilliant colt’s campaign featured wins in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, strategically freshened by skipping the Preakness to dominate later jewels like the Saratoga sophomore double. Despite a last-minute withdrawal from the Breeders’ Cup Classic, voters from the NTRA, NTWAB, and Daily Racing Form overwhelmingly backed his supremacy, with trainer Bill Mott securing his fifth top trainer award and Godolphin earning outstanding owner and breeder accolades.
Laurel Park Picks Highlight Eye-Catching Contenders for Friday Action
Laurel Park’s robust Friday program promises intrigue, led by Race 4’s starter optional claiming feature where dominant speed Missy Boss eyes a return to wire-to-wire success from a tough post, backed by jockey Yedsit Hazlewood reuniting with Jamie Ness trainee Bigshot Ness showing debut promise. Race 8 spotlights Lonesome Road’s national buzz after a dazzling 97 Beyer dirt debut, dropping into allowance company with bullet works signaling Mike Trombetta’s confidence, while Crab Daddy lurks as a value closer. The card caps with Maryland-bred allowance sprint action in Race 9, pitting recent strong finisher Fear Nothing against pace-setter Paco the Taco Man in a rematch of December form lines primed for fireworks.
Aqueduct Spot Play Targets Value in Race 5
Brisnet’s spot plays for January 23 flag Aqueduct Race 5 as a prime wagering angle with Strike a Rose at 4-1 morning line odds, offering bettors a sharp opportunity amid East Coast winter racing. This selection underscores the day’s value hunting, complementing fuller analysis from experts like Bruno De Julio on morning routines and AI-driven contender rankings for strategic plays across the card.
